Christmas Bowl continues into its second generation

In December of 1976, six young men began a tradition that has spanned 37 years and two generations as they trekked from Lakeside Drive in Lawrence to the then junior high school (now Lawrence Middle School) on Broadway in blizzard conditions to play tackle football.

A foot of snow was on the ground and they played for hours, according to their memories. No matter the recollection, Jeff Bender, Paul Cooper, Eddie Ellner, Cliff Fetner, Michael Levenstein, Michael Singer and Herb Swords (all 1978 Lawrence High School graduates) began an event that over the years, has come to include brothers, cousins, friends, nephews, boyfriends of daughters and co-workers, and now the sons of the original players and their friends.

The game have been played in rain, snow, sunshine, and bitter cold on the frozen tundra of a number of Long Island’s high school fields. Through the changes in personnel and venues and there has been at least two original players at each game.

“I see no reason why this game can’t go on another thirty to forty years,” said Levenstein the self-proclaimed Xmasbowlmaster. “My nephews and Paul’s sons in particular have a great time with this game. I hope that they want to carry on this tradition with their kids in the future. Then us old guys can just come down, watch and keep warm with a little Christmas cocktail. Oh wait a sec, some of us are already doing that now.”

Lifelong friends trade Internet jokes year-round, trash talk and share an outdoor barbecue after the game. Even Bender, who resides in Los Angeles, still makes an occasional appearance.

“I do miss the camaraderie of spending time with friends, many of whom I’ve known since grade school, reminding and jibing one another of our youthful indiscretions or stupid comments through the use of a mere word or two; a shorthand code borne from forty years of friendship”, Bender said. “I don’t really miss suffering from all the post-game ailments and injuries … and besides, you can’t beat taking hikes in LA on Christmas day, in 80° weather, NY is just too brittle for me, this time of year.”